Diothelism meaning

Diothelism is the belief that Jesus Christ possessed two wills, one human and one divine, while maintaining unity in purpose and action.


Diothelism definitions

Word backwards msilehtoid
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division di-o-the-lism
Plural The plural form of the word "diothelism" is "diothelisms."
Total letters 10
Vogais (3) i,o,e
Consonants (6) d,t,h,l,s,m

Diothelism is a theological concept that posits the idea of two wills in Jesus Christ – a divine will and a human will. This belief emerged in the 7th century as a response to the Monothelite heresy, which claimed that Christ only had one will. Diothelism affirms that Jesus Christ, being both fully divine and fully human, possesses both a divine will derived from his divinity and a human will derived from his humanity.

Historical Background

The debate surrounding diatheletism originated in the context of the Byzantine Empire in the 7th century. Emperor Heraclius sought to find a doctrinal compromise between the Monophysites, who believed in one nature of Christ, and the Chalcedonians, who affirmed two natures, divine and human, in Christ. This led to the formulation of Monoenergism, the belief in one energy or will in Christ, which was eventually rejected as heretical by the Sixth Ecumenical Council in 681.

Key Beliefs

Advocates of diothelism assert that in order for Christ to be truly human and truly divine, he must possess both a divine will, in line with his divine nature, and a human will, in line with his human nature. This duality of wills is essential to maintain the integrity of Christ's two natures without confusion, division, or change.

Theological Implications

Diothelism has significant theological implications for understanding the nature of Christ and the relationship between his divinity and humanity. By affirming the existence of two wills in Christ, diothelism seeks to uphold the fullness of both his divine and human natures, ensuring that he is the perfect mediator between God and humanity.

In conclusion, diothelism is a theological framework that emphasizes the dual nature of Christ by asserting the existence of two wills in him. This concept underscores the mystery of the Incarnation and highlights the complexity of Christ's unity as both God and man. The debate over diothelism continues to shape Christian theology and our understanding of the person of Jesus Christ.


Diothelism Examples

  1. The debate over the theological concept of diothelism continues to divide scholars.
  2. Some Christian denominations adhere to the doctrine of monotheletism instead of diothelism.
  3. The study of diothelism in early Christian history reveals significant theological developments.
  4. Diothelism was a key issue at the Third Council of Constantinople in the 7th century.
  5. Understanding the nuances of diothelism requires a deep knowledge of theological terminology.
  6. Scholars have written extensively on the historical context of diothelism in Christianity.
  7. The discussion of diothelism often touches on broader debates within Christian theology.
  8. Diothelism addresses the relationship between the divine and human wills in Jesus Christ.
  9. The concept of diothelism has implications for how Christians understand the nature of Christ.
  10. Diothelism is a complex theological doctrine that requires careful study and reflection.


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  • Updated 09/07/2024 - 19:44:19